Mechanical traction

ABSTRACT

A mechanical traction device, mountable on the foot portion of a bed, for allowing one in traction a freedom in motion with minimal effort while maintaining a constant traction pressure. Lateral movement is effected by the use of a traveling wheel assembly mounted on a horizontally supported member with vertical movement rendered possible by the use of a pulley connected to the wheel assembly.

United States Patent Neuhardt, Jr. [4 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] MECHANICAL TRACTION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 lnvenwfl ni J Neuhardt, J 1 igg 926,434 15/1947 France ..12s/7s Road Ganhersburg, 20760 220,557 11/1968 Sweden ..128/75 [22] Ju|y 1, 1970 394,646 4/1924 Germany ..2l2/l l7 [2]] Appl' 28349 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko [52] US. Cl ..128/75 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lh l/OZ 57 ABSTRA [58] Field ofSearch ..128/75, 83, 84; 212/1 17, 122, I 1 CT 212/123, 76, 1 19; 214/86, 87, 670 A mechanical traction device, mountable on the foot portion of a bed, for allowing one in traction a freedom in motion with [56] References Cited minimal effort while maintaining a constant traction pressure. Lateral movement is effected by the use of a traveling wheel UNITED STATES PATENTS assembly mounted on a horizontally supported member with 3,114,366 12/1963 Maychark ..l28/75 vertical movement rendered possible by the use of a pulley 2,796,061 6/1957 Mlller 128/75 X connected to the wheel assembly, 3,054,590 9/1962 Collins ..128/75 X 3,063,445 1 H1962 Ries 128/75 1 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 'l 1 [B72 SHEET 1 OF 3 FIG.1

INVENTOR Bcnjdrni n J. Heuhardt Jr.

PATENTEDAPR 1 1 I972 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIGS FIG. 4

' IIIII I/Il/I/{IIIIIIIII/IIIILII/t FIGG PATENTEDAPR 1 1 m2 SHEET 3 [1F 3 FIGJG INVENTOR Benjmn lh J.Neuhdrdr Jr.

MECHANICAL TRACTION BACKGROUND This invention relates to a horizontally traveling pulley device and adjustable supporting components for application of weights for exerting pulling forces on human limbs for medical purposes.

The main object of the device is to provide freedom of motion for a human being requiring application of a pulling force to the lower limb for medical treatment, otherwise known as traction, while in a horizontal position, especially while sleepmg.

Another object of this invention is the provision of flexibility in the supporting frames to absorb sudden shock forces generated by the patient while rolling from side to side or tuming completely over parallel the frame of the supporting mattress.

Another objective of this invention is to provide adaptability of the supporting frame to most sizes of mattresses used in homes, or fittings provided on hospital beds.

Another objective of this invention is to provide stability of the supporting frames by attaching clamps that react upward upon the lower frame of a box spring mattress when a downward load is applied to the rope or wire cable supported by the pulley allowing the upper portion of the supporting frame to flex partially by resting on the upper cover of the box spring mattress, yet remain firmly attached.

A further objective of this invention is to provide flexibility in the supporting frame to dampen shock loads generated by movement of a patient as mentioned above.

Present devices that are now used consist of a pulley supported by a rigid frame that can only rotate in a vertical plane parallel to the side of a bedstead to which a pulley supporting frame is attached. This allows a rope or wire cable attached to an orthopedic device attached to a patients lower limb to extend horizontally to and over the pulley vertically down to a weight attached to the rope or wire cable which exerts a pulling force on the patients limb. No provision is made to allow the pulley to travel horizontally perpendicular to the rope or wire cable attached to the patients limb.

The supporting frame for the pulley is attached to fittings built into hospital beds or slipped over the foot end of a top mattress of a mattress and box spring mattress or suspended from the footboard of a bedstead. The prior art makes no provision for dampening shock loads generated by the patient moving about, especially while sleeping.

SUMMARY Briefly described, this invention consists of an adjustable load dampening support frame that supports a horizontal tube, bar or track on which a traveling wheel can move freely horizontally. The traveling wheel fitting supports a pulley which supports a rope or wire cable which is attached to an attaching device attached to the lower limb of a human patient. The rope or wire cable extends horizontally from the attachment provided on the patients lower limb to the pulley, over the pulley then vertically to support weights attached to the rope or wire cable.

As far as is known to me there are no prior devices, such as described by me in this invention disclosure, that will accomplish the desired results.

My invention allows the patient to move about in a bed with considerable freedom as the pulley may travel horizontally from side to side and shock loads are absorbed by the flexible supporting frame and the mattress. Another advantage is that the pulley supporting frame can be removed from the frame clamped to the box spring mattress when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The advantages and objectives of my invention may be better understood as described by the accompanying drawings as showing the basic exemplifications of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing my invention attached to the foot end of a box spring mattress which supports the upper mattress as used in home bedsteads.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the assembly of FIG. I attached to the foot end of a box spring mattress as used in home bedsteads.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation showing the assembly of FIG. 1 attached to the foot end of a box spring mattress as used in home bedsteads.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the traveling wheel and pulley assembly shown on the cross tube in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, showing a cross section of the traveling wheel.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the traveling wheel and pulley assembly as shown on the cross tube in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, showing a cross section of the pulley.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the method of retaining and removing the cross tube support from the supporting frame attached to the box spring mattress shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 7 is a side and partial cross section view showing the traveling wheel and pulley assembly supporting frame in an inverted position attached to the footboard of a hospital type bedstead which has horizontal holes in the footboard.

FIG. 8 is an end view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side and partial cross section view showing the traveling wheel and pulley assembly supporting frame in an inverted position attached to the footboard of a hospital type bedstead which has vertical fittings in the footboard.

FIG. 10 is an end view of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the views described above for a detailed description starting with the traveling fitting assembly 1, consisting of a traveling wheel 2, attached to support fitting 19 by axle bolt 21 which is retained by nut 23 and a pulley 3, attached to support fitting 20 by axle bolt 22 which is retained by nut 24. Fittings 19 and 20 are assembled at their tab faces by four spot welds.

Frame member 5 is attached to base frame members 13 and 14 and is retained in the desired position by lock pins 17 and 18 that are flash welded to spring plates 15 and 16 which release frame 5 when extended upward. Horizontal adjustment is provided by four holes in frame 5 as shown in FIG. 6.

The cross tube 4, acting as a track for the traveling fitting assembly 1, is attached to frame member 5 by standard bolts and wingnuts and height may be adjusted by positioning the attaching bolts in the slotted holes provided in the supporting frame 5.

The basic support assembly consists of two frame bars, 6 and 7, retainer fittings 13 and 14, cross plate 26, cross clamp plates 9 and 10, and clamp fittings 11 and 12. Retainer fittings 13 and 14 are attached to frame bars 6 and 7 by partially sliding over frame bars 6 and 7 and retained by spot welds. Cross plate 26 is attached to frame bars 6 and 7 by standard bolts and nuts and have no adjustment. Cross clamp fittings 9 and 10, having bent sections for attachment of angle clamp fittings 11 and 12, are attached to frame bars 6 and 7 by standard bolts and nuts. Width adjustment for various box spring widths is provided in cross clamp fittings 9 and 10 by slotted holes. Clamp fittings 11 and 12 are attached to cross clamp fittings 9 and 10 by standard bolts and wingnuts and vertical adjustment, for clamping to various depth box spring mattress 8, is attained by slotted holes.

A standard swivel snap catch 35, attached to the end of a rope or wire cable 25, provides attachment of the rope or wire cable 25 to fabric load applying device 34 that is attached to a patients lower limb. The rope or wire cable 25 extends horizontally to pulley 3 and then vertically downward to standard swivel snap catch 36 providing attachment to weight 33 that supplies variable pulling forces as required.

Materials used for my invention are either standard carbon steel plate and tube or standard heat treated aluminum plate and tube except for traveling wheel, 2, and pulley, 3, which can be nylon or thermal plastics, the spring plates, 15 and 16, are spring steel and rope, 25, a standard type of up to 75 pounds capacity, or wire cable, 25, of stranded twisted flexible wire. All steel parts are cadmium plated and aluminum parts are anodized in order to prevent rust or corrosion. Standard parts, such as nuts, bolts, wingnuts, washers, etc. are cadmium plated.

The operation of my invention is attained by attaching the supporting frame to a box spring mattress, attaching the pulley support frame to the supporting frame, adjusting the length of the rope or wire cable to proper length, attaching the weight and last attaching the rope or wire cable to the pulling device on the patients limb. No further operation is required. Weights used to load the patients limb can be varied to a limit of 50 pounds. It is also conceivable that the device could be used to provide load forces for other parts of human patients other than the lower limb.

Referring now to the alternate methods of use for my invention as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, a detailed description will be given. The supporting frame 5, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is inverted from the view shown in FIG. 2 and inserted in support fitting 27 which is attached to a hospital bed footboard 31 by bolt 28 and threaded wheel nut 29. Frame is held in place in support fitting 27 by gravity and friction and supports cross tube 4 which in turn supports traveling wheel and pulley assembly 1. Attachment of cross tube 4 to frame 5 is with standard bolts and wingnuts as previously noted.

Supporting frame 5, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, is supported basically the same as in FIGS. 7 and 8 except the attachment fittings 30 on the footboard 32 is supported by an inverted U- shaped tong that is part of attachment fitting 30 and is suspended into a vertical recessed fitting 33 built into the footboard 32. All other parts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are the same as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Materials for support fitting 27 and 30 are either cadmium plated steel or anodized aluminum and attachment bolt 28 and wheel nut 29 are cadmium plated steel.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a mechanical traction apparatus;

anadjustable load dampening supporting means attached to the foot portion of a bed, said supporting means being rigidly assembled and having at least a pair of parallel bars extending upward at an angle from the plane of said bed and a horizontally spaced support member firmly but adjustably attached to said parallel spaced bars which serves as a track for a pulley arrangement mounted for low friction horizontal movement along said track;

a pulley arrangement with two low friction wheels having their axis of relation mounted in perpendicular relationship to each other, one of said wheels mounted on said horizontal track for the horizontal traverse thereof, whereby the lateral movement along the track provides alignment for the second wheel serving as a pulley which supports a rope or wire cable for a weighted traction arrangement;

a cable arrangement engaging said second wheel as a pulley and having one end of said rope or wire cable firmly attached to a traction weight and said other end connected to an orthopedic device adapted to be fitted to a wearer. 

1. In a mechanical traction apparatus; an adjustable load dampening supporting means attached to the foot portion of a bed, said supporting means being rigidly assembled and having at least a pair of parallel bars extending upward at an angle from the plane of said bed and a horizontally spaced support member firmly but adjustably attached to said parallel spaced bars which serves as a track for a pulley arrangement mounted for low friction horizontal movement along said track; a pulley arrangement with two low friction wheels having their axis of relation mounted in perpendicular relationship to each other, one of said wheels mounted on said horizontal track for the horizontal traverse thereof, whereby the lateral movement along the track provides alignment for the second wheel serving as a pulley which supports a rope or wire cable for a weighted traction arrangement; a cable arrangement engaging said second wheel as a pulley and having one end of said rope or wire cable firmly attached to a traction weight and said other end connected to an orthopedic device adapted to be fitted to a wearer. 